Chapter 225: Frost Descends

After hearing the explanations from his fellow disciples, Song Jusheng finally understood the situation. Upon learning that the sect leader was gone and Sunyang Sect had been taken over by an outsider at the Nascent Soul stage, he no longer dared to return. Instead, he followed the group of fellow disciples back to their residence in the capital.

The residence that the court had assigned to the three major sects was quite favorable. It covered a large area, wasn't too far from the bustling inner city, and yet was situated in a quiet location—a perfect blend of seclusion and connection to the world.

Among those who had escaped from Sunyang Sect, there were eight Jindan stage elders, and twenty-one elite inner disciples, most of whom were at the middle or late stages of Foundation Establishment. Including Song Jusheng and the disciples stationed in the capital, there were a total of thirty-five people.

Fortunately, the residence provided by the court was spacious enough. The Jindan elders each had their own room, and the elite disciples shared rooms two by two, with some rooms left over.

After everyone had been assigned their rooms, the elders gathered in the main hall to discuss various matters. Leading the discussion, Elder Luo said:

"Once we're settled, we need to send word to the disciples who are out on missions and haven't returned yet, instructing them to gather in the capital so that we can rebuild the sect!"

On the way back, Song Jusheng had already heard about the plan to rebuild the sect. He had no objections to it—after all, with their mountain gate taken and lacking the strength to reclaim it, rebuilding was the only option. However, as he listened to the discussion, he couldn't help but ponder the question of who would assume the position of sect leader in this newly rebuilt sect.

But the elders of Sunyang Sect had known each other for over a hundred years. As soon as Elder Luo noticed Song Jusheng's expression, he knew what he was thinking. With a cold snort, he said:

"Don't even think about the position of sect leader, Elder Song. The sect leader's token is with me, and only I can communicate with the cultivation world. Therefore, I will naturally take on the role of sect leader!"

Among the Jindan elders present, Elder Luo had the highest cultivation level, a fact well known to everyone. Song Jusheng discreetly glanced around at the other elders' expressions and saw that none of them showed any particular reaction to Elder Luo's words. He immediately realized that they must have already discussed and agreed upon this.

Thus, he no longer said anything out of place and instead smiled:

"Old Luo, you're overthinking it. Given the sect's current crisis, how could I be concerned with such things? My worry is whether rebuilding the sect might provoke that Nascent Soul cultivator to come after us again."

To this, another elder shook his head:

"I doubt it. Our sect's protective array isn't just for show. When that thief forcibly entered our mountain gate and killed the sect leader, he sustained significant injuries. Now that he's taken over our mountain gate and the position of sect leader, he's likely focusing on healing. It should be some time before he fully recovers."

Elder Luo added:

"Exactly. With his injuries, it will take at least a decade or so to fully recover. That gives us plenty of time to rebuild the sect. Moreover, in less than two years, it will be time to reconnect with the cultivation world. Once we inform them of what happened, that thief will surely pay for his crimes!"

By the end of his words, Elder Luo was nearly gritting his teeth in anger. Seeing this, Song Jusheng quietly transmitted a message to a fellow elder he was on good terms with:

"What's gotten into Old Luo?"

The elder responded:

"His most favored disciple, that Jin-something, was killed by the Nascent Soul cultivator with a single blow. Without that disciple to butter him up, Old Luo has been holding back his frustrations. Just don't provoke him."

Song Jusheng inwardly dismissed this but decided not to press the matter further. Instead, he asked:

"If that thief was so injured, why didn't you all join forces to defeat him?"

Unexpectedly, his question offended the elders, who immediately retorted:

"You think it's that easy to kill a Nascent Soul cultivator?"

"He may have been injured, but we could only guess at the extent. What if he had some secret technique?"

"Exactly! What if we miscalculated and got ourselves killed? The entire legacy of Sunyang Sect would be lost!"

"It's not that we fear death. If it weren't for the sect's future, I'd have fought him to the death already!"

"He's got nothing to lose, but we have too much at stake. We can't just throw our lives away recklessly!"

"Right, Old Song, your words are out of line. You've been living comfortably in the capital while we've been enduring hardships. Being questioned by you like this really chills our hearts!"

…

After being bombarded by their words, Song Jusheng wisely kept his mouth shut. It took a while before the conversation finally returned to the topic of rebuilding the sect. This was a matter for the Jindan elders to handle, so it had little to do with the Foundation Establishment disciples, who were busy settling into their new quarters, their minds filled with thoughts of the elder positions they had been promised once the sect was rebuilt.

Days passed, and soon the Frost Descent season arrived. On this day, Mo Yuanjiao, still dressed in light clothing, was demonstrating his Air-Walking Technique to his family, who were already bundled up in warmer layers. As they watched him casually step through the air above the garden rocks, they were filled with awe and pride.

From under the corridor, Mo's grandmother, her voice slightly trembling with age, called out to him:

"Yuanjiao, dear, shouldn't you come down and put on some warmer clothes? It's chilly outside—"

Hearing this, Mo Yuanjiao's face flushed slightly, and in a few quick steps, he descended from the air and stood before his grandmother.

"Ah—Grandmother, please don't call me Yuanjiao. It sounds like a girl's name!"

His grandmother smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling with affection as she gently patted his hand:

"Alright, alright, I won't call you that anymore. Our Yuanjiao has grown up and can't be called by his childhood name."

His mother, standing nearby, laughed and said:

"Mother, don't worry about him. No matter how grown up Yuanjiao gets, he'll always be your grandson. Childhood names are meant for elders to use, aren't they? What's wrong with that? And how does it sound like a girl's name? I think it sounds just fine."

Mo Yuanjiao immediately protested:

"Mother—I'm an adult now! I can even fly!"

His grandmother gently patted his mother's arm and said kindly to Mo Yuanjiao:

"Your mother is mistaken. Our Yuanjiao is now a cultivator and shouldn't be called by a childhood name anymore. When you come of age, let your maternal grandfather give you a courtesy name—that will be more fitting."

At this moment, Bao Jian hurried into the garden. Seeing Mo Yuanjiao talking with the old madam and the lady of the house, he softly called out, "Young master," and then waited quietly at the side.